happy fornicalia

February 17 was the Roman festival of fornicalia, dedicated to Fornax, the Roman goddess of ovens. Bakers draped garlands over the mouths of their ovens, prayers and offerings were made to ensure a prosperous wheat crop. ( Hamelman Bread 2nd ed. p 38)

While I am far from pagan, I found it amusing and wonderful and appropriate that there should be a holiday specifically built around ovens, bread, and the bakers who love them.

Perhaps we should declare our own holiday - not FEbruary 17th to be sure - but some other that might be unclaimed on all calandars 'round the world?